Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Correspondence: Tel: FAX: littman saturn. The gastrointestinal tract of mammals is inhabited by hundreds of distinct species of commensal microorganisms that exist in a mutualistic relationship with the host. How commensal microbiota influence the host immune system is poorly understood.
SFB adhere tightly to the surface of epithelial cells in the terminal ileum of mice with Th17 cells but are absent from mice that have few Th17 cells. Colonization with SFB was correlated with increased expression of genes associated with inflammation and anti-microbial defenses, and resulted in enhanced resistance to the intestinal pathogen Citrobacter rodentium.
Thus, manipulation of this commensalregulated pathway may provide new opportunities for enhancing mucosal immunity and treating autoimmune disease. The vertebrate intestine is typically colonized by hundreds of distinct species of microorganisms that have a mutually beneficial relationship with the host.
Intestinal microbiota are known to influence the development and balance of the host immune system, and have been implicated in prevention of damage induced by opportunistic microbes, in repair of damage to the mucosal barrier, and in influencing systemic autoimmune diseases Backhed et al. T-helper type 1 Th1 and Th2 cells control intracellular microorganisms and helminths, respectively Abbas et al.
Th17 cells secrete IL, ILF, and IL, and have significant roles in protecting the host from bacterial and fungal infections, particularly at mucosal surfaces.
